Latest news with #Frecklington
The Advertiser
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Boss of troubled DNA lab resigns after being suspended
The boss of a troubled forensic testing lab has resigned a month after being suspended over "contamination issues". Forensic Science Queensland director Linzi Wilson-Wilde received a show cause notice for her removal by the Liberal National government in June following another setback. Attorney-General Deb Frecklington made the call after learning the beleaguered lab had paused routine DNA testing for seven days following the discovery of "contamination issues". Ms Frecklington on Friday announced Dr Wilson-Wilde had resigned from her position effective immediately. She said Forensic Biology Executive Manager Natasha Mitchell would continue acting in the director role until a permanent appointment was made. "The Crisafulli government is firmly committed to the future of Forensic Science Queensland," Ms Frecklington said in a statement. The LNP government did not disclose the nature of the contamination issues but routine DNA testing has since resumed. Forensic Science Queensland was established in 2023 after two inquiries exposed major failings over a number of years at the lab. They included a "fundamentally flawed" automated testing method that may have led to offenders potentially escaping conviction for nine years from 2007. Dr Wilson-Wilde was appointed director in September 2024 after serving as interim chief executive. She received the role from the former Labor government prior to it entering caretaker mode before the 2024 state election. The LNP government chose Dr Kirsty Wright to oversee forensic lab reforms when it won the October 2024 election. The LNP launched reforms after it emerged more than 40,000 of the state's most serious cases were "under a forensic cloud" following the back-to-back inquiries. It moved amendments in parliament in April to ensure current DNA sample retention was extended from three to seven years to tackle the retesting backlog, which may take years. It was a recommendation of Dr Wright, who will oversee a DNA Lab Review and hand down recommendations with renowned FBI expert Bruce Budowle. Forensic scientist Dr Wright spoke out about the lab, triggering the two inquiries held in as many years. The boss of a troubled forensic testing lab has resigned a month after being suspended over "contamination issues". Forensic Science Queensland director Linzi Wilson-Wilde received a show cause notice for her removal by the Liberal National government in June following another setback. Attorney-General Deb Frecklington made the call after learning the beleaguered lab had paused routine DNA testing for seven days following the discovery of "contamination issues". Ms Frecklington on Friday announced Dr Wilson-Wilde had resigned from her position effective immediately. She said Forensic Biology Executive Manager Natasha Mitchell would continue acting in the director role until a permanent appointment was made. "The Crisafulli government is firmly committed to the future of Forensic Science Queensland," Ms Frecklington said in a statement. The LNP government did not disclose the nature of the contamination issues but routine DNA testing has since resumed. Forensic Science Queensland was established in 2023 after two inquiries exposed major failings over a number of years at the lab. They included a "fundamentally flawed" automated testing method that may have led to offenders potentially escaping conviction for nine years from 2007. Dr Wilson-Wilde was appointed director in September 2024 after serving as interim chief executive. She received the role from the former Labor government prior to it entering caretaker mode before the 2024 state election. The LNP government chose Dr Kirsty Wright to oversee forensic lab reforms when it won the October 2024 election. The LNP launched reforms after it emerged more than 40,000 of the state's most serious cases were "under a forensic cloud" following the back-to-back inquiries. It moved amendments in parliament in April to ensure current DNA sample retention was extended from three to seven years to tackle the retesting backlog, which may take years. It was a recommendation of Dr Wright, who will oversee a DNA Lab Review and hand down recommendations with renowned FBI expert Bruce Budowle. Forensic scientist Dr Wright spoke out about the lab, triggering the two inquiries held in as many years. The boss of a troubled forensic testing lab has resigned a month after being suspended over "contamination issues". Forensic Science Queensland director Linzi Wilson-Wilde received a show cause notice for her removal by the Liberal National government in June following another setback. Attorney-General Deb Frecklington made the call after learning the beleaguered lab had paused routine DNA testing for seven days following the discovery of "contamination issues". Ms Frecklington on Friday announced Dr Wilson-Wilde had resigned from her position effective immediately. She said Forensic Biology Executive Manager Natasha Mitchell would continue acting in the director role until a permanent appointment was made. "The Crisafulli government is firmly committed to the future of Forensic Science Queensland," Ms Frecklington said in a statement. The LNP government did not disclose the nature of the contamination issues but routine DNA testing has since resumed. Forensic Science Queensland was established in 2023 after two inquiries exposed major failings over a number of years at the lab. They included a "fundamentally flawed" automated testing method that may have led to offenders potentially escaping conviction for nine years from 2007. Dr Wilson-Wilde was appointed director in September 2024 after serving as interim chief executive. She received the role from the former Labor government prior to it entering caretaker mode before the 2024 state election. The LNP government chose Dr Kirsty Wright to oversee forensic lab reforms when it won the October 2024 election. The LNP launched reforms after it emerged more than 40,000 of the state's most serious cases were "under a forensic cloud" following the back-to-back inquiries. It moved amendments in parliament in April to ensure current DNA sample retention was extended from three to seven years to tackle the retesting backlog, which may take years. It was a recommendation of Dr Wright, who will oversee a DNA Lab Review and hand down recommendations with renowned FBI expert Bruce Budowle. Forensic scientist Dr Wright spoke out about the lab, triggering the two inquiries held in as many years. The boss of a troubled forensic testing lab has resigned a month after being suspended over "contamination issues". Forensic Science Queensland director Linzi Wilson-Wilde received a show cause notice for her removal by the Liberal National government in June following another setback. Attorney-General Deb Frecklington made the call after learning the beleaguered lab had paused routine DNA testing for seven days following the discovery of "contamination issues". Ms Frecklington on Friday announced Dr Wilson-Wilde had resigned from her position effective immediately. She said Forensic Biology Executive Manager Natasha Mitchell would continue acting in the director role until a permanent appointment was made. "The Crisafulli government is firmly committed to the future of Forensic Science Queensland," Ms Frecklington said in a statement. The LNP government did not disclose the nature of the contamination issues but routine DNA testing has since resumed. Forensic Science Queensland was established in 2023 after two inquiries exposed major failings over a number of years at the lab. They included a "fundamentally flawed" automated testing method that may have led to offenders potentially escaping conviction for nine years from 2007. Dr Wilson-Wilde was appointed director in September 2024 after serving as interim chief executive. She received the role from the former Labor government prior to it entering caretaker mode before the 2024 state election. The LNP government chose Dr Kirsty Wright to oversee forensic lab reforms when it won the October 2024 election. The LNP launched reforms after it emerged more than 40,000 of the state's most serious cases were "under a forensic cloud" following the back-to-back inquiries. It moved amendments in parliament in April to ensure current DNA sample retention was extended from three to seven years to tackle the retesting backlog, which may take years. It was a recommendation of Dr Wright, who will oversee a DNA Lab Review and hand down recommendations with renowned FBI expert Bruce Budowle. Forensic scientist Dr Wright spoke out about the lab, triggering the two inquiries held in as many years.
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Health
- Perth Now
Troubled DNA lab boss resigns after being suspended
A troubled forensic testing boss has resigned a month after being suspended over "contamination issues". Forensic Science Queensland director Linzi Wilson-Wilde received a show cause notice for her removal by the Liberal National government in June following another setback. Attorney-General Deb Frecklington made the call after learning the beleaguered lab had paused routine DNA testing for seven days following the discovery of "contamination issues". Ms Frecklington on Friday announced Dr Wilson-Wilde had resigned from her position effective immediately. She said Forensic Biology Executive Manager Natasha Mitchell would continue acting in the director role until a permanent appointment was made. "The Crisafulli government is firmly committed to the future of Forensic Science Queensland," Ms Frecklington said in a statement. The LNP government did not disclose the nature of the contamination issues but routine DNA testing has since resumed. Forensic Science Queensland was established in 2023 after two inquiries exposed major failings over a number of years at the lab. They included a "fundamentally flawed" automated testing method that may have led to offenders potentially escaping conviction for nine years from 2007. Dr Wilson-Wilde was appointed director in September 2024 after serving as interim chief executive. She received the role from the former Labor government prior to it entering caretaker mode before the 2024 state election. The LNP government chose Dr Kirsty Wright to oversee forensic lab reforms when it won the October 2024 election. The LNP launched reforms after it emerged more than 40,000 of the state's most serious cases were "under a forensic cloud" following the back-to-back inquiries. It moved amendments in parliament in April to ensure current DNA sample retention was extended from three to seven years to tackle the retesting backlog, which may take years. It was a recommendation of Dr Wright, who will oversee a DNA Lab Review and hand down recommendations with renowned FBI expert Bruce Budowle. Forensic scientist Dr Wright spoke out about the lab, triggering the two inquiries held in as many years.
The Age
04-07-2025
- Politics
- The Age
How the AG's constant appeals could change sentencing trends
The appeal of a sentence handed to a husband and wife convicted of raping a child is the latest protest from Queensland's top law officer as the government pushes its tough on crime agenda through the justice system. Attorney-General Deb Frecklington revealed on Friday she had asked the Director of Public Prosecutions to appeal the sentence handed to Christopher Luke Hili and Lee Kathleen Hili, who were jailed earlier this year for raping a 15-year-old girl at the couple's house following a party. The pair were sentenced in Brisbane's Supreme Court in April following a five-day trial. Lee was slapped with a prison sentence of six years while Christopher was handed seven years through the added offence of supplying cannabis to a child. 'This was sickening offending against a young and vulnerable victim and I do not believe the sentences meet community expectations,' Frecklington said. 'My thoughts are with the victim and her family.' Loading The rebuke is at least the fifth request for a sentence to be appealed by Frecklington since the Liberal-National government was elected last year on a promise to crack down on crime. The state government has already set higher punishment requirements for mandatory sentences of youth offenders through its 'adult crime, adult time' suite of laws. And criminal lawyer and former Queensland Law Society president Bill Potts said regular appealing of sentences is another avenue for the state government to flex its tough on crime narrative.
Sydney Morning Herald
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
How the AG's constant appeals could change sentencing trends
The appeal of a sentence handed to a husband and wife convicted of raping a child is the latest protest from Queensland's top law officer as the government pushes its tough on crime agenda through the justice system. Attorney-General Deb Frecklington revealed on Friday she had asked the Director of Public Prosecutions to appeal the sentence handed to Christopher Luke Hili and Lee Kathleen Hili, who were jailed earlier this year for raping a 15-year-old girl at the couple's house following a party. The pair were sentenced in Brisbane's Supreme Court in April following a five-day trial. Lee was slapped with a prison sentence of six years while Christopher was handed seven years through the added offence of supplying cannabis to a child. 'This was sickening offending against a young and vulnerable victim and I do not believe the sentences meet community expectations,' Frecklington said. 'My thoughts are with the victim and her family.' Loading The rebuke is at least the fifth request for a sentence to be appealed by Frecklington since the Liberal-National government was elected last year on a promise to crack down on crime. The state government has already set higher punishment requirements for mandatory sentences of youth offenders through its 'adult crime, adult time' suite of laws. And criminal lawyer and former Queensland Law Society president Bill Potts said regular appealing of sentences is another avenue for the state government to flex its tough on crime narrative.
The Advertiser
20-06-2025
- The Advertiser
Lab boss suspended in latest DNA contamination scandal
The director of a state-run forensic testing lab has been suspended and will be asked to explain why they should not be removed in the latest scandal over botched DNA sampling. It follows a pause in testing sparked by the identification of contamination issues at Forensic Science Queensland, Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said on Friday. "This action was taken following advice I received today that (Forensic Science Queensland) was placing a general pause on routine DNA testing after contamination issues were identified," she said. The pause will be reviewed after seven days as the lab determines next steps. Urgent matters will progress in a limited capacity with appropriate controls, Ms Frecklington said. Forensic Science Queensland was established in 2023 following multiple inquiries, one of which revealed a "fundamentally flawed" automated DNA extraction method might have led to offenders potentially escaping conviction for nine years from 2007. Many samples went untested while others were incorrectly ruled insufficient, an earlier inquiry found. The inquiries also elicited characterisations of a "toxic" culture at the state-run forensic lab. More than 40,000 samples fell within the scope of a historical review process, of which close to 10,000 had been reviewed as of May. Linzi Wilson-Wilde was appointed director in September after serving as interim chief executive. Dr Wilson-Wilde was stepping into "what will undoubtedly be a very challenging role", Ms Frecklington said at the time. Following news of the testing pause, Ms Frecklington moved to immediately suspend her, pending a show cause notice for removal. "I want to assure Queenslanders the Crisafulli government remains firmly committed to fixing the long-standing issues at Forensic Science Queensland," she said. The director of a state-run forensic testing lab has been suspended and will be asked to explain why they should not be removed in the latest scandal over botched DNA sampling. It follows a pause in testing sparked by the identification of contamination issues at Forensic Science Queensland, Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said on Friday. "This action was taken following advice I received today that (Forensic Science Queensland) was placing a general pause on routine DNA testing after contamination issues were identified," she said. The pause will be reviewed after seven days as the lab determines next steps. Urgent matters will progress in a limited capacity with appropriate controls, Ms Frecklington said. Forensic Science Queensland was established in 2023 following multiple inquiries, one of which revealed a "fundamentally flawed" automated DNA extraction method might have led to offenders potentially escaping conviction for nine years from 2007. Many samples went untested while others were incorrectly ruled insufficient, an earlier inquiry found. The inquiries also elicited characterisations of a "toxic" culture at the state-run forensic lab. More than 40,000 samples fell within the scope of a historical review process, of which close to 10,000 had been reviewed as of May. Linzi Wilson-Wilde was appointed director in September after serving as interim chief executive. Dr Wilson-Wilde was stepping into "what will undoubtedly be a very challenging role", Ms Frecklington said at the time. Following news of the testing pause, Ms Frecklington moved to immediately suspend her, pending a show cause notice for removal. "I want to assure Queenslanders the Crisafulli government remains firmly committed to fixing the long-standing issues at Forensic Science Queensland," she said. The director of a state-run forensic testing lab has been suspended and will be asked to explain why they should not be removed in the latest scandal over botched DNA sampling. It follows a pause in testing sparked by the identification of contamination issues at Forensic Science Queensland, Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said on Friday. "This action was taken following advice I received today that (Forensic Science Queensland) was placing a general pause on routine DNA testing after contamination issues were identified," she said. The pause will be reviewed after seven days as the lab determines next steps. Urgent matters will progress in a limited capacity with appropriate controls, Ms Frecklington said. Forensic Science Queensland was established in 2023 following multiple inquiries, one of which revealed a "fundamentally flawed" automated DNA extraction method might have led to offenders potentially escaping conviction for nine years from 2007. Many samples went untested while others were incorrectly ruled insufficient, an earlier inquiry found. The inquiries also elicited characterisations of a "toxic" culture at the state-run forensic lab. More than 40,000 samples fell within the scope of a historical review process, of which close to 10,000 had been reviewed as of May. Linzi Wilson-Wilde was appointed director in September after serving as interim chief executive. Dr Wilson-Wilde was stepping into "what will undoubtedly be a very challenging role", Ms Frecklington said at the time. Following news of the testing pause, Ms Frecklington moved to immediately suspend her, pending a show cause notice for removal. "I want to assure Queenslanders the Crisafulli government remains firmly committed to fixing the long-standing issues at Forensic Science Queensland," she said. The director of a state-run forensic testing lab has been suspended and will be asked to explain why they should not be removed in the latest scandal over botched DNA sampling. It follows a pause in testing sparked by the identification of contamination issues at Forensic Science Queensland, Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said on Friday. "This action was taken following advice I received today that (Forensic Science Queensland) was placing a general pause on routine DNA testing after contamination issues were identified," she said. The pause will be reviewed after seven days as the lab determines next steps. Urgent matters will progress in a limited capacity with appropriate controls, Ms Frecklington said. Forensic Science Queensland was established in 2023 following multiple inquiries, one of which revealed a "fundamentally flawed" automated DNA extraction method might have led to offenders potentially escaping conviction for nine years from 2007. Many samples went untested while others were incorrectly ruled insufficient, an earlier inquiry found. The inquiries also elicited characterisations of a "toxic" culture at the state-run forensic lab. More than 40,000 samples fell within the scope of a historical review process, of which close to 10,000 had been reviewed as of May. Linzi Wilson-Wilde was appointed director in September after serving as interim chief executive. Dr Wilson-Wilde was stepping into "what will undoubtedly be a very challenging role", Ms Frecklington said at the time. Following news of the testing pause, Ms Frecklington moved to immediately suspend her, pending a show cause notice for removal. "I want to assure Queenslanders the Crisafulli government remains firmly committed to fixing the long-standing issues at Forensic Science Queensland," she said.
